Denver defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio has his hands full trying to devise a game plan that includes containing Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson

"I think he's been smart about how he runs," Del Rio said. "He's not taking unnecessary risks. He's not exposing himself to unnecessary contact. He's a threat to run, but he's not trying to run over people to prove a point.

"He's smart and understands that if he does that too many times, he's going to end up hurt. So he's been wise about his approach, gets what he can and gets down, gets out of bounds.

"And the thing he does very well is as he's running, his eyes are constantly down the field, and he's prepared to throw the ball down the field. So that's been a big emphasis point for us."

Fox says Noll a good teacher

John Fox has coached Carolina and Denver to Super Bowls and was the New York Giants' defensive coordinator when they lost a Super Bowl to Baltimore.

Fox got his foundation as a defensive coach at Pittsburgh under Chuck Noll

"In my first year, 1989, I was defensive backfield coach, and I was very blessed to be with Chuck," Fox said. "The most valuable lesson: to be the same guy, and don't go through the highs and lows, because it's very easy to do, especially with outside influences.

"Chuck was a tremendous technician in the individual fundamentals of football, which was something very important to him. I still believe it comes down to blocking and tackling, even at this level."

Broncos players like their coach

Denver linebacker Paris Lenon spoke about coach John Fox and why he means so much to his team.

"The guys on the team really like him, and that goes a long way," Lenon said. "It definitely happens in this league where you have coaches you really like, but it's not always the case. You have a job to do, and you'll do your job, but it makes it a lot better if you like the guy that's leading you."

Players say bye to media daze

Seattle players met with the media for the final time Thursday - surely a relief for running back Marshawn Lynch

"I'll be relieved some," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said, chuckling. "He's going to do just fine. He's going to do Marshawn the best he can. He'll go through it, and I think there's a lot of information coming your way. He's telling a lot about who he is and what he represents and stands for, sometimes in the silence, not always with his words that he says."

Other Seahawks, notably receiver Doug Baldwin, voiced strong opinions on the circus that has surrounded Lynch the last few days.

"It's what the NFL wanted," Baldwin said. "They wanted to make a story. Any publicity for the NFL is good publicity. The fact that the league threatened Marshawn with suspensions and with fines and forcing him to speak is absurd. It's ridiculous. The guy doesn't want to speak to the media, and you're forcing him to. It's frustrating for me to even speak about."

Sherman says he, Revis OK

Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman was asked about his relationship with Tampa Bay's Darrelle Revis, widely regarded as the game's premier corner for the past several years.

Revis reportedly was critical of Sherman's postgame antics in the NFC Championship Game. According to Sherman, the two have patched up whatever issues they had.

"He's a great guy, and we squashed all the nonsense," Sherman said. "As a corner, I think every one of them out there is going to say that they're the best, and that's the way you've got to play the position.

"In order to play this game at the highest level, that's how you've got to feel. That's the confidence you feel. Now they may not go out and say it out loud and proclaim it like I do, but I'm 100 percent sure they feel that way."

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